Chapter 5Section 1

The Rise of Rome

Geography of Rome • Located on the Italian

peninsula, in the center of the Mediterranean Sea.

• The Alps are in the north

• The Apennine mountains are on the eastern coast

• Broad, fertile plains in the north and west

People Of Rome

• Italy was originally settled by several groups of people

• Two main groups were Greek colonists and the Etruscans (ih-truhs-kuh n)

• The Etruscans ruled much of central Italy and Rome itself

• Ancestors of the Romans, the Latins, settled in the area that is now Rome around 800 BCE

The Legend of the Founding of Rome• Legend is that twin brothers

Romulus and Remus founded the city

• Abandoned by their uncle, they were rescued by a she-wolf

• Romulus & Remus quarreled about the city boundaries

• Romulus killed Remus and Romulus became the first King of Rome - which was named after him.

Roman Political Structure• Romans drove out their Etruscan ruler and established a

Republic• The romans did not want one person to have all the

power• Patricians – Landholding upper class• Plebeians – Farmers, Merchants, Artisans, Traders • Senate – Governing Body• Consuls – Two Patricians• Dictator – Assigned to be in charge in the event of a war

for over six months

Roman Social Structure• Plebeians have no say in the government

• Eventually get to elect their own officials called tribunes

• The males were head of the household and his wife and children could not question his authority

• Women would eventually earn more rights such as owning property and businesses

• All children were taught to read and write

• The wealthy hired tutors for their children

Roman Religion

• Romans were polytheistic – believed in several gods and goddesses

• Many of the gods were adopted from the Greek gods

• Rome had many celebrations that would honor the gods• Built elaberate temples to honor the gods

• Greek Gods• Zeus – Ruler of all Gods• Hera – Wife Of Zeus• Poseidon – god of the sea

• Roman Gods• Jupiter – Ruler of all Gods• Juno – Wife Of Zeus• Neptune – god of the sea

War and Conquest• Rome begins to build their empire by conquering

the rest of Italy• By 270 BCE Rome controls most of the Italian

Empire• Military is made up of Roman Citizens• Roman Justly Conquers – Allows those

conquered to keep their culture, customs, and government as long as they supplied soldiers, paid taxes and, acknowledged Roman Leadership

The Punic Wars

• Carthage had a large empire throughout the Mediterranean

• Rome fought Carthage in three wars from 264 BCE to 146 BCE (118 Years)

• By the Third Punic War, Rome finally destroyed Carthage and gained all of Carthage’s territory

In what ways did the Greeks Influence the

Romans?